Immerse yourself with Sydney Oyster Farms Tours!

Do you love to eat Oysters?

Do you want to learn more about Oysters?

Do you love being out on (and in!) the water?

Well this is the tour for you!

One of my daughters loves oysters and had told me about this awesome experience with Sydney Oyster Farms tours. Seeing photos on their website of plates filled with glorious oysters, champagne glasses filled to the brim and white linen tables set in the water of the Hawkesbury river, I knew that it was an experience that I needed to buy her for Christmas. Oh and as a lover of oysters myself, I was definitely going along with her!

Meeting at Kangaroo Point Boat Ramp at Brooklyn NSW we made our way down the jetty ready to board the flat bottom boat that was our transport down the river towards the oyster farms and our lunchtime spot. Laid over the back of our seats were our waders that we would need later, just seeing those made us hungry and wanting oysters right away, but we would have to wait! Firstly we were to discover all about oysters and the beautiful Hawkesbury river.

Pulling up to one of the leases, we were informed all about the ins and outs of oyster farming. I soon discovered that I knew nothing about oyster farming before coming on this tour! Like did you know that oysters take 4 years of growing before they are ready to eat? and that they start off as tiny larvae forms? Let alone the many many years history of oyster farming in the Hawkesbury River area! We got to even view some baby oysters that were about 1 year old… a whole three more years till they are ready to eat!

Our guide was also so informative of the area we were boating past, sharing interesting facts about the history of the land, the inhabitants of the islands that we past and the train line that weaves its way around the river … one that my family have been on multiple times over the years!

Soon enough we were pulling up to our lunch time spot, and we were all ready to dive into those oysters!

Finally we could step into our waders, all sized up specifically for us ( you note your shoe size when you book) and step out of the boat to be greeted by our hosts and a glass of sparkles! Walking was quite easy and not as tricky as I anticipated , I had visions of me falling over in my hurry to get to the table! I was so excited to see a huge bowl holding 16 oysters each and wanted get into them straight away, but without any idea on how to shuck an oyster I was at a loss! Lucky we got a demonstration on the safest, easiest and best way to open them and before long we were let loose to enjoy. Let me say, while the shucking at first was tricky (especially for left handed people!) eating freshly harvested oysters straight out of the shell, is something you cannot beat! That first oyster I tasted was unbelievable, and the complementing glass of bubbles and juicy prawns just topped the lunch off!

I couldn’t tell you how long we were there enjoying the lunch, but I can tell you we weren’t rushed at all. There was plenty of time to enjoy each and every oyster, take photos and have conversations with the hosts, before we boarded the boat again. Heading back along the river with a full belly, happy memories and an amazing day out on the water my daughter turned to me a said ” That was so good, I would do it again for sure!” and too be honest I agreed!

What: Immerse Yourself with Sydney Oyster Farm Tours

Where: Brooklyn NSW Australia

How much: $198 Adult, $110 13 -17years old, $756 -12years old

Need to know: When you book it tells you what to wear and what to bring.. we wore leggings and a t-shirt so it was easy to get dressed into the waders, make sure you bring a hat a bottle of water and wear sunscreen, we had breakfast before our tour – there is a few places in Brooklyn including the Estuary Kiosk which is situated right where the tour departs, parking is close by but be warned some areas it is sign posted as a two hour limit and you are gone for 2 and a half hours. We went on a Wednesday in March … perfect weather, and it was booked out, so if you really want to go on a certain day then suggest you book early!